American Indian Movement

American Indian Movement (AIM)

Founded in 1968, the American Indian Movement (AIM) emerged as a powerful force advocating for Native American rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation. Initially focused on addressing police brutality and systemic discrimination in urban Native communities, AIM quickly expanded its efforts to fight for treaty rights, land reclamation, and self-determination. The movement gained national attention through high-profile protests, including the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz Island, the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties, and the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. AIM played a crucial role in raising awareness of Native American struggles and pressuring the U.S. government to recognize tribal sovereignty. Its legacy continues today through activism, legal advocacy, and community empowerment efforts.

The American Indian Movement, 1968-1978 | Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) : This primary source set uses documents, photographs, videos, and news stories to tell the story of the first decade of the American Indian Movement.

American Indian Movement “Trail of Broken Treaties 20-Point Position Paper.” October 1972 | AIM Movement: The paper outlined 20 demands aimed at addressing historical injustices, treaty violations, and the federal government’s failure to uphold Native sovereignty.

 Avalon Project: Statutes of the U.S. Concerning Native Americans | Yale Law School : A collection of U.S. statutes from the late 1700s through the 1800s concerning Native Americans. Provided by Yale's Avalon Project. 

These were a body of federal laws enacted over time that define the legal status, rights, and relationships between Native American tribes and the U.S. government. These statutes cover treaties, land rights, sovereignty, governance, and policies related to Native American affairs.

Bureau of Indin Affairs (BIA) | U.S. Department of the Interior

Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties | Okstate Library : Compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler, this historically significant, seven volume compilation contains U.S. treaties, laws and executive orders pertaining to Native American Indian tribes. The volumes cover U.S. Government treaties with Native Americans from 1778-1883 (Volume II) and U.S. laws and executive orders concerning Native Americans from 1871-1970 (Volumes I, III-VII). 

Memorandum from Forrest Gerard to Jerry T. Verkler and Bill Van Ness Regarding the American Indian Movement (AIM) Occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota | National Archives Catalog : Record Group 46: Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789-2015, Series: Special Project Files, 1951-1968, Special Action Files of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs for the 93rd Congress.

Forrest Gerard was a key Native American policy advisor and later became the first Native American Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior. He worked on legislative and policy matters concerning Native American issues.

Native American Constitution and Digital Law Project | University of Oklahoma Law Library & NILL : Tribal constitutions and codes are the heart of self-government for over 500 federally recognized tribes, and are the lifeblood of Indian sovereignty. The University of Oklahoma Law Center Library and the National Indian Law Library work with tribes whose government documents appear on this web site; these tribal documents are either placed online with the permission of the tribes, or they are U.S. Government documents, rightfully in the public domain.

National Indian Law Library  (NILL) : A public law library devoted to federal Indian and tribal law. It includes various resources including some primary source materials.

Self Determination of Free Peoples : Founding Documents of the American Indian Movement (AIM) | History Matters : The documents included are the foundational documents submitted to a Congressional committee by undercover FBI informant Doug Durham, who served for a time as AIM’s Director of Security.